Paris is now preparing to host the Paralympics later this month, following the conclusion of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The competitions take place from August 28 to September 8, and tens of thousands of spectators will join the over 4,000 athletes with disabilities.Officials from the Olympics praise the city for its efforts in making the games accessible to everyone. However, disability campaigners argue that much more work has to be done to infrastructure and mindsets throughout France.
At the Paris Olympics, Africa has it’s own special fan zone. It’s a place where Africa’s citizens and supporters can come together to celebrate their continent’s sporting successes while putting aside their political differences and conflicts.
France has already resisted attacks on its internet and rail services only days into the Paris Olympics. However, tens of thousands of police, gendarmes, and soldiers are part of the massive security force that has been put in place.As Lisa Bryant reports from Paris; a large number of the soldiers currently manning the streets of the French city have served overseas.
The Paris Olympics kick off on Friday evening with a stunning ceremony on the Seine River. The figures behind the event are staggering: billions of dollars, millions of tourists, thousands of athletes, and security forces. Aside from severe weather and political upheaval, the city’s first Olympic Games in a century faced a number of serious roadblocks in the lead-up, including COVID-19 threats and strike action.
In an attempt to undermine promises to make these Games the most inclusive ever, rights groups accuse French authorities of “social cleansing” ahead of the Paris Olympics by uprooting migrants, sex workers, and others from the capital.The government says it’s simply trying to address a longstanding problem.
In Paris, France, breakdancing makes its debut as a new Olympic sport. VOA’s Heather Maxwell talks to B-Girl Fatima Zahra El Mamouny and B-Boy Bilal Mallakh ahead of of their major game participation.
Under the Taliban, Rashmin Joyenda, an Afghan woman, fought for women’s freedom and education in Afghanistan. She has now found asylum in France. She fled her country after being detained by the Taliban for her protests, and she now speaks out against the regime from Paris.
A Pakistani journalist who was forced to flee his country out of fear for his safety now runs a club in France for fellow exilesThey get together to discuss issues and share ideas with locals.
Marzia Hamidi (20), was one of the many people who escaped the Taliban last year.She joined the Olympic Refugee Team for Paris 2024 Games and has been living in Paris since December of last year. She has been given permission to practise with the French National Taekwondo Team
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February,around 5 million Ukrainian refugees have fled to other parts of Europe. Nearly a third of the Kyiv City Ballet’s dancers are among them. They’ve found refuge in Paris and continue to play and plan international tours, but conflict looms large